The Differences in Competencies Between Adn and Bsn Prepared Nurses

They determined that patients needing surgery have a "substantial survival advantage" (Aiken, Clark, Cheung, Sloan, & Silber, 2003) if treated in hospitals with higher ratios of nurses educated at the baccalaureate degree level. They too determined through this research that the more nurses holding BSN degrees help decrease the risk of patients dying and the ability to determine the patient is in distress. This research provides the evidence that nurses with a BSN degree have a better comprehension in their ability to formulate nursing diagnoses and evaluate nursing interventions. (Giger & Davidhizar, 1990) BSN degree nurses also demonstrate improved professional integration and research/evaluation skills. (The Future of Nursing:Leading Change, Advancing Health, 2012)

An ongoing debate for the requirements to become a Registered Nurse (RN) has been unsettled. Several different educational pathways lead to an RN licensure; however, the minimum educational requirements must be standardized at the baccalaureate level for several reasons. Spetz and Bates (2013) published that a growing number of hospitals prefer hiring nurses with a Bachelor Science in Nursing (BSN) as this increases the status of the nursing profession (p. 1). Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), as well as a certificate on-the-job training Diploma are two other educational pathways to become an RN, which can be disadvantageous to the nursing profession in several ways (Tollick 2013; Spetz and Bates 2013). If entry-level nurses

Associates prepared nurses are able to sit for the NCLEX as well as bachelors prepared nurses. They are both able to practice and perform many of the same skills and procedures. Their differences in clinical competencies are few, but their differences in critical thinking, decision making, communication, leadership, and management techniques and abilities, are many. The bachelors prepared nurse has received a higher and more in depth level of education in their field. This additional study and preparedness gives the bachelors prepared nurse the ability to understand not only the “what” and “how” of their clinical procedures, but also the

Healthcare systems and the way safe, quality health care is delivered are continually changing to better serve patients and communities. Professional nursing practice is a large component in the healthcare system today. Back in the 1960s, professional nursing leaders tried to adopt the bachelor degree programs as the only educational track to become a registered nurse (Creasia & Friberg, 2011). Due to nursing shortages and demands this motive did not hold fast. Individuals entering the nursing profession today must first decide which educational pathway to take to become a Registered Nurse (RN).

ADN/Diploma nursing programs meet the minimal educational standard to become eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The minimal education time for eligibility for the NCLEX is at least two years of academic course work in the discipline of nursing. With successful completion of an ADN/Diploma program and passing of the NCLEX-RN allows graduates to gain eligibility of an entry-level nursing position. According to recent analysis of the nursing job market, ADN/Diploma nurses qualify for 58% of nursing related jobs. Statistics from the United States Department of Labor (2012) shows the median income for a RN is

The BSN curriculum fosters the development of these skills. The nurse obtains knowledge regarding public health and community issues. Additionally, the nurse develops skills in nursing administration and research in order to provide optimum health care for the patient and organization, thus carrying out expert assessment and evaluation (Forster, 2008).

Furthermore according to American Association of College of Nursing, “the baccalaureate degree is designed to prepare nurses for work within the growing and changing health care environment. With nurses taking more active role in the health care, they are expected to develop critical thinking and communication skills in addition to receiving training in clinics and hospital”(American Association of College of Nursing) .

Education has a strong outcome on everyone, and nursing is a profession that makes sure that everyone that is being called a nurse goes through the best kind of education that is available. Nursing helps to nurture human by providing humane services for all. There are different levels of education in nursing; an associate’s degree, a baccalaureate degree, master’s degree and so on. So it is very important to understand the differences between all these degrees since each certified nursing program carries educational and professional requirements that are expected to be carried out. The following paragraphs are going to explain the differences in competencies between nurses that are

On the other hand, the preparation for a BSN degree take more years of in depth studies, which includes nursing research, leadership and management, community, public and health nursing. ”Most baccalaureate programs are now 4 academic years in length, and the nursing major is typically concentrated at the upper division level. Graduates are prepared as generalists to practice nursing in beginning leadership position in a variety of setting and they are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN.” (Friberg, Creasia, 2011.p 25) Clinical

Evidence shows that significantly higher levels of medication errors and not following procedures are done by an associate degree level nurse compare to a baccalaureate degree nurse. (When Care Becomes a Burden 2001). Medication error is one of the leading causes of death in the hospital setting. Some patient comes in the hospital know their medications and what the medication looks like. A nurse with an ADN degree is giving a patient his medications. The patient said to the nurse that the medication does not look like the ones he takes at home. An ADN nurse may ignore the patient’s comment and give the patient the medication to the patient anyway. A BSN nurse will use her critical thinking and researching educational background to investigate more on the medications making sure the medications are correct before giving the patient the medications. In Health Affairs (2009), researchers reported that new nurses prepared in BSN programs are significantly more likely to complete the graduate level education needed to fill nursing positions where job growth is expected to be the greatest. (When Care Becomes a Burden 2001). According to Nursing Outlook (2003). Nurses prepared at the BSN level are found to have higher levels of job satisfaction which is the key to nurse retention. Studies have also found that nurses with a BSN level have stronger communication, critical thinking, leadership and problem-solving skills (Journal of

Discussing the Differences in Competencies between nurses prepared at the Associate-Degree level versus the Baccalaureate-Degree level in Nursing.

participation. The study concluded that the leading factor being reported by the nurses was pay satisfaction (Palmer 2014). In 2010, the Institute of Medicine set a goal to have 80% of nurses practicing with a bachelor’s degree. Since the early 2000’s research has shown the benefits of nurses having a BSN degree. Those benefits include a substantial decrease in both failure to rescue and death rates following admission (Aiken as cited in Pittman 2013). Currently, the national average is that about 40% of staffed nurses holding a BSN degree. To raise that to the desired 80%, like in all good business, there must be incentive. When surveying 447 nurse executives from hospitals, clinics, hospice, and home-health settings, 80% reported that their

“Throughout the last decade, policymakers and practice leaders have recognized that education makes a difference” (Impact of Education, n.d.). Hospitals are also trending towards preferred hiring of bachelors prepared nurses for their workforce. Even national organizations are jumping on the bandwagon requiring “all nurse managers and nurse leaders to hold a baccalaureate or graduate degree in nursing by 2013” (Impact of Education, n.d.), likewise the Institute of Medicine has also recommended that all hospitals have at least 80% of their nursing staff with a BSN or higher by the year 2020 (Impact of Education, n.d.).

It has to embrace the mission, vision, and values of the university or college, inharmonious with the congruent while school’s philosophy and vision. Nursing faculty must reflect on present and future trends in healthcare since it will prepare students to practice in the changing health care It is important for faculty creating nursing curriculum to have specific goals and objectives to achieve outcomes and are obligated to acquiring resources, comprehension of the market sources, the proficiency for the future in health care, and the capability to understand if goals have been achieved (Billing & Halstead, 2016,

The Differences in Competencies between Nurses Prepared at the Associate-Degree level versus the Baccalaureate Degree level in Nursing